Wigan 3 - 1 Chelsea

After home wins against Porto (1-0), Spurs (3-0) and QPR (1-0) we're off to the JJB to face Wigan with a full strength squad that has Zirkov on the bench but surprisingly no place for Joe Cole. The Jedi comes in for Ballack in a holding role and the Drog has shaken off his calf injury to start up top

Its a bright opening 10mins for the Blues with Lamps and Ess both testing Kirkland early on but its Wigan who take the lead as Bramble rises unmarked to head home from a simple N'Zogbia cross with 15mins on the clock. Thomas brings Drogba down with a clumsy challenge on the edge of the box the resulting free kick is easily gathered. Wigan are nearly two up on the half hour as Scharner is allowed a free run but his shot goes over the bar. The Blues are looking a bit leg weary and Wigan are dangerous on the break. On 37mins, Jason Scotland is clean through on goal and only a last ditch tackle from JT save the Blues but from the corner another flighted cross causes havoc in the blues defence. Fortunately Cech smothers Boyce's effort. A half that the Blues will want to forget ends 1-0 and Carlo does not look happy.

Belletti replaces the Jedi at the start of the second half and within a minute the Blues are level. Malouda weaves into the box and finds Drogba who's snap side foot squeezes between Kirklands legs. That's 1-1 but 4mins later Cech brings down Rodellega as he breaks into the box. Its a straight red, a penalty and Hilario has to rush on to face the spot kick replacing Malouda. Rodellega steps up and its 2-1 but the replays show it as a soft "Eduardo" penalty. Its end to end stuff with Wigan still having the better of the exchanges so Carlo throws on Kalou for Bosingwa with 15mins to go. Its a ballsy call but we'll see if its effective. Cole brings down N'Zogbia on the edge of the box and fortunately Rodellega's free kick is just too high. On 83mins Drogba wriggles free in the box and chips to Lamps but he heads well over. Chelsea are down to 9 men as Cole limps off and Ess fills in as temporary left back with 5mins of added time on the clock but its all over as Figueroa skips into the box and his cross/shot is slid home by Scharner. It ends 3-1 on a sorry afternoon at the JJB.

Stoke 1-2 Chelsea

Up to the Britannia for an away tie with Stoke with yet more FIFa nonsense ringing in our ears. Now we cant even recall our own players who are out on loan - its a good job FIFA are so fair minded and even handed. Anyway, to matters at hand and Carlo makes 4 changes after the exertions of international week. Out go Rickey, Ess, Deco and Anelka with Ivanovic, Jedi, on Malouda and Kalou coming in as replacements. Stoke have set up with a back 5 so I guess we can guess their tactics for the game

Chelsea start brightly and are dominating possession in the opening 15mins but Stoke are getting stuck in - there'll be a few bruises today. The first Delap throw of the match arrives on 16mins and Kalou gets booked for jumping and actually getting a head on the throw. Bit strange that one. Stoke are getting a bit more adventurous and on 30mins Cech starts to come for a pretty simple cross, changes his mind and that leaves Faye unmarked to head home. The Blues are one down yet again in a game they've been bossing. Stoke loose Sovensen to a thigh strain which makes for 8mins of stoppage time and a long ol' first half but on 48mins a beautiful through ball from Lamps find Drogba who lets the ball run and the lashes home an equalizer. The half finally ends on 56mins.

We're off an running again with no changes and within a minute we could be ahead as Lamps and Ballack combine to release the Drog but he blasts over. The opening 10mins have been played almost entirely in the Stoke half but on 56mins a Delap throw causes panic in the blues box and from the resulting corner, Cech is again undecided but finally gathers. On the hour Huth comes close from another corner and that is the trigger for more substitutions - Anelka and Essien replace Kalou and Ballack whilst Tuncay is on for Stoke. A nice interchange between the Drog and Bozzy, 10mins later, releases Lamps but his shot is blocked. Chelsea are turning up the heat as Ess fires over from the edge of the box and then on 75mins Faye throws himself at a Drogba drive. The Drog drives into the box but his shot is well parried by Simonsen. Its desperate defending from Stoke but still 1-1. Belletti replaces the Jedi for the final 10mins and the desperate Stoke defending continues will bodies diving all over the place. There's 5mins of stoppage time and Lamps breaks free on the edge of the box but Faye again dives in to block. You have to admire Stokes defending but their defence is breached with 2mins to go - Essien plays the ball in to Anelka who sidefoots back to Malouda and his shot squeezes inside the near post. It ends 1-2 to the Blues

Still 100% - Come on U Blues

FIFA give Chelsea the blues

There's been way too much written about the whole Gael Kakuta affair but if FIFA really believe that Chelsea are the only club that have pushed the boundaries of current signing rules then they are insane. You can read the BBCs view here but its hard to see how FIFA are not just singling out Chelsea because the dont have the b**ls to go after Real Madrid, Man U or whoever. Kakuta is a great prospect and, of course, Lens are not happy to have lost out on a young talent but the actions from FIFA are draconian at best and more likely to be seen as purely vindictive.

Yes there have to be rules regarding the development and movement of young talent but get the rules right first and then apply them - its not the other way round.

Chelsea will obviously appeal and the ban will probably be reduced but lets hope this injustice galvanises the team and its spirit.